Methods and apparatus for encoding and decoding of data using concatenated polarization adjusted convolutional codes

A concatenated decoder apparatus for use in a communication system, the concatenated decoder apparatus comprising:

• a layer counter configured to count a number of layers;
• an inner decoder configured to carry out an ith layer inner decoding operation in accordance with a layered polarization adjusted convolutional (LPAC) code to generate an ith inner decoder decision {tilde over (b)}i from a concatenated decoder input array y and an (i−1)th cumulative decision feedback ({circumflex over (b)}1, {circumflex over (b)}2, . . . , {circumflex over (b)}i−1);
• an outer decoder configured to carry out an ith layer outer decoding operation to generate from the ith inner decoder decision {tilde over (b)}i an ith outer decoder decision âi;
• and
• a reencoder configured to carry out an ith layer reencoding operation to generate an ith decision feedback {circumflex over (b)}i from the ith outer decoder decision âi,
• wherein the number of layers is equal to an integer m, wherein the integer m is greater than one, and wherein the outer decoder is further configured to generate a concatenated decoder output block {circumflex over (d)} from outer decoder decisions (â1, â2, . . . , âm) and send the concatenated decoder output block {circumflex over (d)} to a destination.

A concatenated encoder method for use in a communication system, the concatenated encoder method:

• at an outer encoder, receiving a concatenated encoder input block d, splitting the concatenated encoder input block d into an outer code input array a, and encoding the outer code input array a in accordance with a plurality of outer codes to generate an outer code output array b;
• and
• at an inner encoder, generating, from the outer code output array b, a concatenated code output array x in accordance with a layered polarization adjusted convolutional (LPAC) code, and sending the concatenated code output array x to a channel,
• wherein the plurality of outer codes comprises at least two outer codes, wherein the LPAC code comprises at least two layers.

A concatenated decoder method for use in a communication system, the concatenated decoder method comprising:

• counting a number of layers;
• at an inner decoder, carrying out an ith layer inner decoding operation in accordance with a layered polarization adjusted convolutional (LPAC) code to generate an ith inner decoder decision {tilde over (b)}i from a concatenated decoder input array y and an (i−1)th cumulative decision feedback ({circumflex over (b)}1, {circumflex over (b)}2, . . . , {circumflex over (b)}i−1);
• at an outer decoder, carrying out an ith layer outer decoding operation to generate from the ith inner decoder decision {tilde over (b)}i an ith outer decoder decision âi;
• and
• at a reencoder, carrying out an ith layer reencoding operation to generate an ith decision feedback {circumflex over (b)}i from the ith outer decoder decision âi,
• wherein the number of layers is equal to an integer m, wherein the integer m is greater than one, the concatenated decoder method further comprising, at the outer decoder, generating a concatenated decoder output block {circumflex over (d)} from outer decoder decisions (â1, â2, . . . , âm) and sending the concatenated decoder output block {circumflex over (d)} to a destination.